STREETBRAND Blog

Bible verse of the week

2009-08-01T15:18:00.002+02:00

As Christians, we should all be reading our Bibles everyday and making sure we are applying Biblical truths to our lives. On the STREETBRAND magazine community, we will be memorising a Bible verse a week to help us grow deeper in our faith and give us a better understanding of what God is saying about issues concerning us. Here’s the Bible verse for the week beginning Sunday 2 August 2009.

Bible verse: Romans 5:3-4 - "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” (New Living Translation)

Application: It is very easy to get discouraged when we are going through trials. At times, problems can seem so big that it’s difficult to see a way out but as Christian youths, we should never forget that God is bigger than any problem we may be facing. Whether it is problems at home or at school, being broke, peer pressure or difficult relationships, God says that we should call on him for strength so that he can help us get through the storm.

There’s an important lesson here too – the verse tells us to rejoice when we have problems because the problems themselves are helping us develop patience, hope and strength of character. Remember that what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger. God is always there for you; you’re never alone and even though his timing may seem slow to you, he knows what is best for you and will answer you when you call, in his perfect time.

Just think back to all the times when you thought the world was going to end; didn’t things get better? As you spend time in worship and prayer this week, reach out to God for inner strength so that you can grow in your knowledge of God and his will for your life.

New Christian teen magazine

2009-07-27T21:58:00.003+02:00

After a brief hiatus, our Christian teen and youth magazine STREETBRAND, will relaunch in print in August 2009.

The magazine will hit selected shops in August 2009 with a new format and design. Aimed at 14 to 22 year olds, the all new glossy, full colour, handbag sized STREETBRAND magazine will be published three times a year and will cover everything from God and faith to music, culture and entertainment, life, relationships, career, lifestyle, advice and more.

Read more on our Christian teen magazine website.

UK gospel music artist dedicates hip hop song to Jade Goody

2009-03-21T10:54:00.002+01:00

Read the full news story about gospel music artist Ejiro's song dedication to Jade Goody here.

Free Christian music download from Hillsong London

2009-03-03T08:34:00.004+01:00

We love freebies! Check out this free Christian music download from Christian music collective Hillsong London. The popular sister church of Hillsong Australia are giving away the song 'Hail to the King' from their Hail to the King Christian music album.

More info: www.lovehillsong.co.uk

Kick off ya shoes by Greenjade (UK hip hop video)

2009-02-26T08:32:00.005+01:00

Following on from our Valentine's Day post, here's UK Christian hip hop group Greenjade's video for their second single from their Life As We Know It album, Kick Off Ya Shoes. The song which they say is about "love, not sex" features jazz legend Frank McComb on keys as well as the vocals of Jaz Ellington and Clinton Jordan. Enjoy!!!

Happy Valentine's Day: Got a broken heart?

2009-02-14T18:45:00.009+01:00

If your heart is breaking on Valentine's day, this blog post is for you.

If your heart is aching
If you feel like crying
If you don't know where you begin and where you end.
If the world is against you
Or you feel like you have no one.
If your friends don't seem to care
Or your boyfriend or girlfriend has stopped noticing you.
If nothing makes sense
If you think nothing ever did
If you want to feel loved
You want to be hugged, you want someone to rock your world
If you've never known that kind of love
The love that makes you feel like everything's ok
The love that brings perfect joy
The Jesus-kind of love
Then...
This is for you.
God sent His son Jesus into this world for you.
Yes for you.
He sent His son to take away every hurt and every pain and everything that has tried to steal your joy
He died at the cross and endured pain so you can have life
So...
If today you're alone and you're thinking what's the point
If you're alone and there's a hole in your heart
Let Jesus mend it
Let Him love you
Let Him be your Valentine.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11: 28

Related content: Be my Valentine Jesus

Rihanna, Chris Brown and teen dating violence

2009-02-12T09:40:00.021+01:00

Ok so I'm hearing different versions of this Rihanna and Chris Brown story: Chris Brown choked Rihanna, threatened to kill her, Leona Lewis caused it by flirting with Chris Brown, Rihanna was unconscious after Chris Brown attack etc.

However it started, whoever started it, one thing remains: according to sources, a 20-year-old girl was beaten up by her 19-year-old boyfriend. Now that's not on! This just shows that teen dating violence exists and is more common than we think. Statistics show that one in three teenagers have experienced some form of violence in a dating relationship. How many times have we heard news reports about teenagers being killed by their boyfriends or girlfriends?

Guys, this is serious stuff! You need to pay attention. When you're dating someone; it's a chance for you to get to know them. Kinda suss them out for marriage. When he/she starts to attack you, is too controlling, watches your every move, won't let you do jack without them, sends you excessive text messages and wants to know where you are every minute of the day - you know something isn't right! And when it isn't right, get out! It's as easy as that.

You need to know that you're made in God's image and not for abuse; so don't tolerate any girl or boy abusing you, either physically or mentally.

And if you're already in this kind of relationship, please seek help. Tell your parents, tell a trusted adult, guidance counsellor at school, or your youth pastor, but don't keep it to yourself and don't think you can try and change anyone. That's God's job not yours!

I'd love to hear from you. What would you do if you were Rihanna? Would you forgive Chris Brown? Do you think domestic or dating violence should be tolerated?

GodTube is now Tangle.com

2009-02-06T20:50:00.004+01:00

I stopped by GodTube today and noticed it had changed its name to Tangle.com. Not too sure I like the new name yet; it just doesn't jump at me like GodTube.com did. Maybe it'll grow on me but Jason Illian, the 33-year-old founder of the site had this to say: "Although we've changed our name, we still have the same heart and the same desire to reach others and serve others for Christ".

One thing I'll give them though is this: the new look site is hot! Here's a clip from Jason Illian talking about Tangle.com. What do you think of the new name?

Free Christian music download from SURRENDER

2009-02-05T10:47:00.005+01:00

UK Christian hip hop/grime act SURRENDER are giving away their new Christian music EP for FREE. The EP is called Ghetto to the Gospel Vol 1 and features UK gospel music acts Phanatik and Ejiro. Just head over to www.myspace.com/officialsurrender for your free Christian music download!

Follow this link to read a Christian music review of Ghetto to the Gospel Vol 1.

I Can Only Imagine is 10 years old

2009-01-29T20:08:00.005+01:00

It has been ten years since Bart Millard penned the popular Christian song 'I Can Only Imagine'. This song became an anthem for many people including me and to this day, it continues to speak to me on different levels. 'I Can Only Imagine' brings me close to tears; it reminds me of just how beautiful life in Christ is and fills me with hope that one day, I will see Jesus.

I can only imagine
What it would be like
When I walk by Your side

I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When Your face is before me

I can only imagine
I can only imagine

Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus
or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence
or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing halleluiah?
Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine
I can only imagine

It has been a while

2009-01-29T07:45:00.000+01:00

It has been a while since we blogged, huh? We’ve been busy over at our new Christian MySpace alternative, check it out when you get a minute. It’s good to be blogging again. I’ll be back with more later.

Mary Mary and David Banner

2008-10-14T21:24:00.008+02:00

I wasn't sure what to think when I heard popular US gospel group Mary Mary had recorded a song with American rapper and occassional actor David Banner. I don't want to come across as judgemental especially because I haven't heard the song in question, my initial thoughts on this though are not good.

Call me old fashioned but I don't think it's appropriate for Christian artists to record songs with secular artists. What glory does this bring God when clearly He said in 2 Cor. 6:14-17: "What fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?.... For we are the temple of the living God.... 'Therefore come out from them and be separate' says the Lord."

That's all I have to say on the matter.

Want to make a difference?

2008-09-26T00:52:00.005+02:00

A proverb a day

2008-09-20T18:39:00.005+02:00

Did you know that a sure fire way to grow in wisdom is to read a proverb a day? A good habit to adopt is to read the proverb for each day of the month; there are 31 books of Proverbs in the Bible and most months have as many days.

Brooke Barrettsmith

2008-07-05T07:51:00.000+02:00

Does anyone else think Brooke Barrettsmith is amazing?

Love is not a fight by Warren Barfield

2008-06-23T00:28:00.004+02:00

We're loving the powerful and life-changing song, "Love Is Not A Fight," by Warren Barfield. It's an absolutely beautiful song that defines what love should be all about, the way God intended it. So what do you think of the song? Do you think love is worth fighting for? Check out the video below.

Maria Sue Chapman, daughter of Steven Curtis Chapman, dies in accident at family home

2008-05-22T07:09:00.001+02:00

Left to Right: Will Franklin, Maria, Steven Curtis, Shaoey, MaryBeth, Stevey Joy, Caleb, and Emily Chapman

Our hearts go out to the family of Steven Curtis Chapman for the loss of their five-year-old daughter, Maria Sue Chapman, who died yesterday May 21st after an accident at the family home. You can read the full story here. Please keep the family in your prayers at this time.

Beverly Crawford ministering “Peace Be Still”

2008-05-16T12:28:00.001+02:00

Beverly Crawford ministering “Peace Be Still” on The Word Network at the Vanessa Bell Armstrong Tribute - Powerful!!!

Do you think you’re a good person?

2008-05-14T04:19:00.001+02:00

Do you think you’re a good person? How do you see yourself? I think we all need a reality check. Go on and take the Good Person Test.

Youth Bible

2008-05-14T04:13:00.001+02:00

So I received a review copy of Authentic Media’s NCV Youth Bible in the post last week. A quick flick through on the inside and I am impressed. This Bible looks seriously cool and it’s one of those things you can happily read without getting the slightest bit confused. It has short real-life stories in each chapter to help you understand the truth of God’s word in a totally down-to-earth way. Studying the Bible doesn’t have to be tasking, with this new look Bible you can dig right into God’s word and learn how to be a girl/guy on fire for Christ in today’s world.

Jesus take the wheel

2008-05-14T04:12:00.001+02:00

I love Jesus Take the Wheel by Carrie Underwood. That’s what I’m listening to right now. It reminds me how at the end of the day, when all is said and done, Jesus has the final say over what happens to us. So instead of trying in our strengths to make things work our own way, we should just give it up to Jesus and allow Him to take the wheel and take control. Too often in my life, when I have had issues and hard times, I sometimes forget that God is indeed greater than whatever I may be going through. There are times when I think, maybe if I try harder, or work stronger, maybe just maybe I can fix it. But in my own strength I can’t, only He can. That’s the beauty of the cross. If we allow Him to take control, He will be strong for us when we are weak.

Matthew 11:28-30 (New International Version)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Teen mums and dads

2008-05-14T04:06:00.000+02:00

I was reading a news item on the BBC website this morning. A 16-year-old Argentine girl gave birth to her second set of triplets recently. The girl, Pamela, had given birth to triplets first when she was 15 and before that she had given birth to a boy when she was 14. This got me thinking about teen mums and dads; I don’t know what you think but I think there must be something seriously wrong with the world if a girl at 16 already has seven children.

There was a discussion about teen parents on the STREETBRAND forum recently. Being a parent is not an easy task; it’s a 24-7 duty that takes over your life. Don’t get me wrong; having children is a joy but it is a kind of joy that comes with hardwork. If the sleepness nights, wet nappies, cries and wails don’t get you thinking. Perhaps thinking about the loss of youth might do the trick.

By ‘loss of youth’ I mean not being able to hang out with your friends as much because you have resposibilities now, having to drop out of school or put your studies on hold while you care for a child, having to grow up much faster and missing out on all the fun things that come with being a teenager, the possibility that you may end up a single parent if you break up with your boyfriend/girlfriend - having a child is serious business. It is so serious I think that it should be avoided while you’re still growing yourself. Save the babies, parenting and sex for when you’re much older and married; concentrate on being a youth of influence. Love yourself, love God and fulfil all that He has called you to be.

Should Christian music be free?

2008-05-14T04:05:00.001+02:00

I came across a Christian group on MySpace giving away their album for free. Yes, their entire album. This is what they said on their profile:

Our passion is to see Christians “take no glory” nor receive praise from man, for what God has done. We have been bought with a price, and we are no longer our own, but Christ lives in us. Let’s not conform to this world, but let your light so shine before men that they see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

You might be wondering why we are giving our CD away for free and encouraging you to copy it and share it with others. When Jesus sent out His disciples to minister to people, He explained that they should do it all without expecting anything in return (Matt. 10:8-10). He was teaching them to trust in God for their every need. We know and believe that where God guides, God provides.

So what do you think, should Christian music be free? Do you think artists shouldn’t charge for the gospel seeing as the gospel of Christ is a free gift to us? What do you say? I’d love to hear from you.

For more info, go to the Take No Glory website

New STREETBRAND blog

2008-05-13T01:16:00.000+02:00

Welcome to the all new STREETBRAND blog; where we talk about Christ, youth culture and being a youth on fire for Christ. The blog is a place where we can rant, rave, share our thoughts and experiences of being a young person in today's crazy crazy times. Our aim is to bring a positive message into the lives of young people that will counter the many negative and oppressive messages of youth culture. We are the resource for every young adult who wants an alternative; a place to go for the total youth experience as God intended it. You can find out more about us on our Christian youth magazine website - be sure to drop us a comment or email and let us know what you think about the all new STREETBRAND blog.